Anyone prefer Heavier Strats?

Strat-Man-Do · July 1st, 2009, 08:36 AM

Though I like to keep my Strats at 7lbs or under when possible. I have played and own ONE Strat that is on the heavy side.

I find IMHO that weight really has nothing to do with Tone. My choice of lighter electrics is purely a [have to play it standing] comfortability choice.

Sitting down and playing doesn't really make a difference to me. But standing it most definatly does.

I also wonder how much TIME has effected this. I'm sure its not as easy to find this Great light resonate wood as it once was in the 50's early 60's?

I also wonder how much truth there is to the statements of players claiming to own 5-6lb Fender Strats that are from recent years like 2006 and up? Maybe its the bathroom scales being used? I use a Triple Beam standing scale which is very acurate to within a 1/2 of gram.

I come across 7lb MIA Strats every now and again [my lightest MIA ia a 7 ,lb-even, 01 Lonestar in ASH]. I own a 5lb Jay Turser I seriously upgraded. I also have a 6lb Classic Vibe Strat which has an amazing figured body that I built a partscaster out of and the total weight is 6lbs.

But I have found these to be rare. The common now seems to be high 7's to 8 1/2lbs. If not MORE!

ArlenBucy · July 1st, 2009, 02:48 PM

I have always liked heavy guitars. I think I just like the solid feel they give me. I dont think there is any tone improve of diminish I just like the feel of a heavy guitar. I also like really long guitars for some reason. Like one of my fav is actually a bass, a Rickenbacher 4001. It feels solid and goes on forever.

furtherfan · July 1st, 2009, 03:10 PM

i have a 25th anniversary strat. its nickname is "the anchor"

so yeah... i'm building a strat with the original pickups from the 25ft anni fender, and i looked for a heacy body.

i like the weight...

BadBrad · July 1st, 2009, 04:51 PM

I played a solidbody electric with a heavy maple body, and it had incredible sustain. It was a back killer, though.

AllroyPA · July 1st, 2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furtherfan

i have a 25th anniversary strat. its nickname is "the anchor"so yeah... i'm building a strat with the original pickups from the 25ft anni fender, .i like the weight...

A 25 foot Fender ! Is it a guitar or a siderail from an old woody station wagon ? LOL
I have two guitars between 8 and 10 pounds, you just need a wide suede strap to distribute the weight, but the sound is awsome, must have something to do with the solid woods.

Boris Bubbanov · July 1st, 2009, 05:00 PM

I have 2 G + L Comanches in the 8-8.5 pound range; some consider this heavy.

I think it depends what you're trying to play. Some things sound better on really wispy guitars, others on heavier ones I have noticed.

gasman · July 1st, 2009, 05:08 PM

The am deluxe alder body I bought recently tips the scales at 4.1 lbs.

sevycat · July 1st, 2009, 06:12 PM

I prefer them all to be on the lighter side. I can't say if it helps the tone, but I will say it keeps the shoulder or leg from going numb.

furtherfan · July 2nd, 2009, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllroyPA

A 25 foot Fender ! Is it a guitar or a siderail from an old woody station wagon ? LOL
I have two guitars between 8 and 10 pounds, you just need a wide suede strap to distribute the weight, but the sound is awsome, must have something to do with the solid woods.

sorry. english is not my first language. 25fth is probably (maybe still wrong...) what i was trying to say

Strat-Man-Do · July 2nd, 2009, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furtherfan

sorry. english is not my first language. 25fth is probably (maybe still wrong...) what i was trying to say

Your doing pretty good if you ask me. Basically an abbreviation for Twenty-Fifth, so it would go like this... 25th.

But you could look around and see others who use English as their FIRST language, and still screw it up after years of practice including myself! So go easy on yourself.

I had a 78 Tele for a period that was 13lbs. Talk about a boat anchor? Looked just like Muddy Waters Tele and sounded very good. Fellow appeared with the right amount of Cash and I let it go though.

AllroyPA · July 2nd, 2009, 04:15 AM

I was just joking, not serious Further ... your tele @ 13 pounds was more like a cannonball ! Sorry you let her go, but I suppose as you say cash ... leads to other things you desire in life ...

furtherfan · July 2nd, 2009, 06:23 AM

oh ****zels.. i was actually right he first time..

but i forgot to mention i also have a semi acoustic guitar.. man, that thing weighs about nothing compared to my strat. i like the extra weight though. Feels like it can take a bit more rough playing...

natstrat79 · July 2nd, 2009, 08:11 AM

I've got a 79 strat that weighs about 9lbs and as you can see from the 13lb tele posted earlier I consider it light for a 70's fender. I kind of like the extra heft. It makes it feel less like a toy.

still_fiddlin · July 3rd, 2009, 05:07 PM

What's a Strat supposed to weigh? I put mine on the bathroom scales (digital, said "8") and hanging from my fish scale was just a shave under the 8 mark, so I'd guess it's probably in the middle range. I like it. I picked up one of those CV Strats in the shop last week, and that felt, uh, unsubstantial, I guess. Not sure I'd want anything much heavier than mine, but the heft is somehow comforting. Feels solid.

Frogger · July 3rd, 2009, 07:43 PM

The real heavyweights were built between 1975-1979. The body contours were not as pronounced thus adding to the weight. No I do not like heavy Strats. I owned and played several from the above mentioned time and I can say CBS era Strats where heavy as hell and the build quality was not up to par compared to present day offerings.

StratmanNick · July 4th, 2009, 02:34 AM

Interesting subject.

Frogger, cant think a little less contouring is going to make much difference in the weight of the guitar, more likely the wood used I'd have thought but hey!! who knows

My lightest is the MIJ Strat @ 7lbs. Heaviest is AVRI @ 8 1/2 lbs. Surprisingly I dont have any issues when gigging the heavy AVRI.

Bandmember recently bought a latest spec US Std Strat and that seems really light.

Strat-Man-Do · July 4th, 2009, 05:18 AM

Interesting, I wouldn't sacrifice Tone for a lighter weight though. I would and have bought a "slightly" heavier Strat in order to have it EXACYLY like I want it. For example, I wanted an American Deluxe Ash with a Rosewood board. First one I bought [and returned] was 7lbs. But I couldn't accept the fact that it was Three-Piece's on the body and the body lines were VERY visable. I wound up returning it and waiting for the one I knew I would Love and cont. to do so. Its certainly Not a boat anchor. But its slightly over 8lbs. Yet it has a two-piece highly figured Ash body that is almost impossible to see the seams on! The neck is slightly thicker than most US Deluxe's I played. I'm sure this is more to due with the specific year than any particular individual Amer Deluxe? But its a keeper, and with a case like this, I would without a doubt I'd rather have a Strat 1-lb heavier, than to buy one at exactly 7lbs or lighter with small issues as I mentioned. JUST SAYING!

Yes I could be Anal with body lines, maybe more so than weight. I'll show you a couple photo's of my current Strats. And they range from expensive US models to less expensive Squier CV-60's to a very inexpensive Jay Turser. But they all have extremely good playability and Tone, which as I mentioned is FIRST, then the cosmedic issues. So you could see why I don't buy on-line these days. Its like they say on-line.....If your anal about small issues like these than don't BID! So I DON'T BID!

1] Amer Ash Deluxe
2] Jat Turser [highly modified, very resonate and light]
3] Amer Series 01 Lonestar [Ash body upgrade]
4] Classic Vibe 60 [Really just the Squier body and PG]

Yet these Strats give you and idea of just how pickey I am with body lines and weight.

Frogger · July 4th, 2009, 09:06 AM

Beautiful pics Strat Man. If my memory serves me right I think there are 2 types of ash...Northern Ash (heavier) and Southern Ash ( lighter) with Swamp Ash being the lightest of all. Fender CBS must have got a great deal on the Northern Ash back in the 70's. I just can't believe the prices dealers are asking for those. Yes they are vintage but most of them need to be burned! Compared to todays build quality they where just dismal.

Bundini · July 4th, 2009, 10:45 PM

I have a partocaster with an ash body and maple neck. It is heavy 9lbs or so, It has the most tone and vibe I have ever played. Aluminum pickguard may also help.

kraigeyroxx · July 5th, 2009, 02:20 PM

My two Strats are pretty much 7lbs. They both sound and play great :-)

Strat-Man-Do you have some lovely looking Strats, my favourite is the third pictured!